Device for collapsing tubes containing medicinal compounds



Feb. 19, 1957 w, HANFORD 2,781,951

DEVICE FOR COLLAPSING TUBES CONTAINING EDICINAL COMPOUNDS Filed Oct. 14, 1955 fig .3.

IN V EN TOR.

By Geo/ye W/fan/brd A tic/"729].

United States Patent 2,781,951 DEVICE FOR COLLAPSING TUBES CONTAINING;

. :MEDICINAL COMPOUNDS George W. Hartford, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to G. C. HanfordMfg Company, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 14, 1955,, Serial No. 540,534

Claims. (Cl.- 222-103) This invention relates to a device which may be convenien'tly manipulated by one hand to collapse, collapsible tubes containing medicinal compounds. At present, a number of medicinal ointments are packaged in collapsible tubes provided with slender elongated spouts adapted for insertion in the infected area, and the ointment is administered by being exuded upon collapsing of the tube.

An example of such an arrangement is the treatment of mastitis infection in the udders of cows. In this instance, the spout of the tube is injected into the milk passage of the teat, and collapsing of the tube progressively from the bottom towards the top, results in the infusion of the ointment through the teat. The employment of the tube in which the ointment is packaged as a means for eifecting such infusion of the ointment is greatly advantageous over other methods, such as the employment of a syringe, However, considerable difiiculty is encountered in manipulating or collapsing the tube with the fingers, it being extremely difiicult to effectively hold the teat and the tube by the fingers of one hand, while the other hand is being used to collapse the tube. Also, it is not possible to collapse the tube conveniently by the fingers and effect exudation of the complete contents of the tube.

This invention has as an object a tube collapsing device which functions to effectively support the tube for the insertion of the spout thereof into the infected passage, and the quick, convenient, and total progressive collapse of the tube, the entire manipulation of the device being effected by one hand of the veterinary or other person administering the compound.

The invention has as a further object a tube collapsing device, of the type set forth, employing a minimum number of parts so designed and constructed as to be most economically manufactured, but yet the device is rugged and durable, whereby it functions over long periods of use.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a tube collapsing device embodying my invention, the device being shown in open tube receiving position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, but with the device shown in tube collapsing position.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the device moved to tube collapsed position.

Figure 4 is an elevational view looking to the right, Figure l.

The device consists of a back member 10, preferably of channel structure, having side walls 11, the bottom or connecting wall forming a flat plate for contact with the tube 14. A compressor member 16 is arranged in confronting'relation to the backchannel, member 10, and is also preferably of channel structure, having'side walls-17,

the back member 10 and compressor member 16 having their; side. walls 11, 17, pivotally joined at like ends, as

by rivets 20.

The compressor member 16 is'moved about its pivot 20: by an actuating member 21. This-member-may alsolbe of channel structure having sidewalls 22'pivotally joined to the opposite end of the back member 10, as by rivets:

23. actuatingmember-21 is connected to tube cornpressor member 16 whereby, upon movement of the member 21 toward and, from the back member 10, a similar movement is imparted-to the compressor member 16. In the arrangement shown, the. side flanges 17 of. the compressor member are formed with elongated slots '24 through which a pin extends, the ends of thepin being secured to the flanges 22, of the. actuating member 21. This arrangement provides a sliding connection between the actuating member and the compressor plate which is effective to move the compressor plate toward and from the back member upon like movement of the actuating member 21, as will be apparent.

The upper ends of the connecting plates, the back member 10 and the compressor member 16 are preferably curved or flared outwardly, as at 26.

The back member 10, in conjunction with the compressor plate 16, when the same is moved outwardly from v th back member, provides a V-shaped compartment for the reception of the tube 14. With the tube thus positioned, the spout 27 may be inserted in the teat passage, or other location, and compression of the actuating member 21 toward the back member will effect a uniform, progressive collapsing of the tube 14, from the bottom toward the top, and when the compressor plate 16 has been moved into close parallelism with the back plate 10, as shown in Figure 3, the contents of the tube has been completely exuded.

It will be apparent that the device described aids materially in the administration of medicinal compounds by the tube collapsing procedure, and also results in a more effective application of the ointment.

What I claim is:

1. A device for collapsing tubes containing medicinal compounds comprising a back member, an actuating member, said members being pivotally joined at like ends, a tube compressor member pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of said back member and extending toward the pivotal connection of said back and actuating members, said compressor member being movable about its pivot away from said back member to form, in conjunction with said back member, a V-shaped compartment for the reception of a collapsible tube, said actuating member being operable upon movement about its pivot toward said back member to engage and move said compressor member toward said back member to collapse the tube.

2. A device for collapsing tubes containing medicinal compounds comprising a back member, a compressor member, said members being pivotally joined at like ends, an actuating member pivotally connected at one end to the free end of said back member for movement toward and from the back member, said actuating members overlying said compressor member, and said members being connected intermediate their ends, said actuating member being operable upon movement about its pivot toward and from said back member to effect like movement of said compressor member.

3. A device for collapsing tubes containing medicinal compounds comprising a back plate, a tube compressor plate arranged in confronting relation to the back plate, said plates being pivotally joined at like ends, an actuating member pivotally joined to the opposite end of said back plate for movement toward and from the same,-means connecting said compressor plate and actuating member and being operable to effect movement of said compressor plate toward and from the back plate upon like movement of said actuating member.

4. A device for collapsing tubes containing medicinal compounds comprising an elongated channel shaped back member, an elongated channel shaped tube compressor member, the side Walls of said channel members being pivotally connected at like ends of said members, an actuating member of channel formation having its side walls pivotally joined at one end of said member to the side walls of said back member at the opposite end thereof, the side walls of said actuating member overlying the side walls of said compressor member, and means slidably connecting the side walls of said compressor and actuating members whereby, upon movement of said actuating member toward said back member, a like movement is imparted to said compressor member.

5. A device for collapsing tubes containing medicinal compounds comprising a channel shaped back member, a

channel shaped tube compressor member, the side walls of said members being pivotally joined at like ends of the members, with the compressor member extending in confronting relation to the back member, a channel shaped actuating member having its side walls pivotally joined to the side Walls of the back member at the opposite end thereof, the side walls of said actuating member overlying the side walls of said compressor member, the side walls of said compressor member being formed with aligned slots extending lengthwise of said member, a pin extending through the side walls of said actuating member and through the slots of said compressor plate whereby, upon movement of said actuating member outwardly from said back member, said compressor member is positioned to form, in conjunction with said back member, a V-shaped compartment for the reception of a collapsible tube and, upon movement of said actuating member towardsaid back member, to move said compressor plate into sub stantially parallel adjacency to said back member.

No references cited. 

